Circuit breaker



Nov. 1, 1927. 1,647,632

E. H. JACOBS CIRCUIT BREAKER l Original Filed Aug. 4, 1919 2 Sheets-Sheet l @Xgl JWN

Nov. l, 1927.

E. H. JACOBS CIRCUIT BREAKER Original Filed Aug. .L,i 1919 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 d@ ili- Patented Nov. 1, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ERNEST H. JACOBS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS;

ASSIGNOR TO ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS CIRCUIT BREAKER.

Application Med Augu'st My invention relates to circuit breakers. In the matter of interrupting heavy currents of electricity, either for normal switching or in the case of protective apparatus, @the separation of the electrical contacts or conducting parts where the current is to 'be interrupted has been a -diiiicult matter. The trend of development along this line has been towards improving the circuit breakers` l0 of the well known oil break type,` wherein the circuit is opened and closed at Contact points submerged in an insulating liquid. The eiciency of the circuit breaker depending largely upon the rapidity and simplicity with which the current iiow can be interrupted. the breakers of the prior art and articularly those of the oil-break type have en handicapped by their complicated construction, involving a relatively greatnum- 5 ber of moving parts aving a large inertia and a slowness of operation, which is highly undesirable. Such practical; diiculties as those have prevented the adoption of the oil break type of breaker in a'sfull a measure as` u .the service requires. The interruption of the current flow immediately upon the E occurrence of an overload'hasnot only been exceedingly diicult, but has been beyond the performance of the average circuit breaker of the. prior art.

' My invention provides for over-coming the above diiculties and for securing other incidental advantages by: Y, v

(a) Simplifying the operating mechanism of the circuit reaker.'l

' (b) Reducing thenumber of moving parts to aminimum (c) Decreasing they inertia of the moving parts,and 4 (d) Increasing the speed of operation 'of the breaker. s

In accordance with the teachings of. my invention an overload relay controls the circuit of a trip coil whereby upon the occurrence of an overload thetrip coil operates to interrupt the iiow of current by' openwing suitable circuit breakers provided therefor. A manually operated switch is provided in the trip coil circuit in order that the trip T coil may be operated manually toropen the circuit breakers if so desired. A resetting coil circuit having a suitable switch therein controlling a resetting coil is adapted for- I. resetting n specifically described here.

4, 1919, Serial No. 315,150. Renewed July 7, 1927.

the overload has been relieved or it is otherwise desired to close the circuit.l l

Other advantages of my invention not he'reinbetore lset forth will appear from the following detailed description and theclaims taken with an inspection of the accompanying drawings wherein I have illustrated one specific manner in which the invention may be embodied. The particular circuit breaker shown is merely illustrative and the details thereof may be varied.

Figure 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a circuit breaker embodying my invention showing the contact parts of engagement. Fi re 2 is a view similar tovFigure 1, showing the contact parts separated, `and Figure 3 is a diagram of an electric circuit, employing circuit interrupting means embodying my invention.

Although in the accompanying drawings 'I have illustrated my invention embodied in connection with a typical oil switch I do not intend that the invention shall be limited to any particularv type of circuit breaker. Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, the particular switch shown comprises a closed vessel l, which project electrical-conductors terminating in a stationary switchcontact members 3 and 4. These contact members areof a form rwell known in the art and need not be y The conductors 5 andA 6 which are connected to the contact members 3 and 4 respectivelyv are led through the cover 2 by means of suitable insulators 7 and 8 which insulators maybe of any pre-- ferred type. These insulators are preferably is maintained.

provided with a cover 2 throughl or closing the circuit breakers when i f sealed into the cover 2 so that the tight joint l A movable switch member 9 adapted for 'i reciprocation into and out of contact with the stationary contact members is guided for vertical movement through the cover 2 and connected at its upper free' end through a link 11 to a lever arm 12.

The stationary switch contact members 3 and 4v together wlth the movable switch member 9 are submerged in a body of liquid 14, held in the closed container 1. In the construction of switches of this type oil is commonly employed as the medium for submerging the contacts .although any other main line -crank lever 19. This bell crank suitable liquid of high insulating properties might be employed instead.

he lever arm l2 connected at its inner end to the insulated rod 10 is pivoted intermediate its length at 15 to a bracket member 16 extending upwardly from the. cover 2 of the container 1. A tension spring 17 having its opposite ends connected to the lever arm v12 and the bracket member 16 respectively tends to force the insulated rod 10 doWnwardly and consequently the movable switch member 9 out of engagement with the stationary contact members 3 and 4, (Figure .2).

The outer free end of the lever arm 12 cooperates with the hook portion 18 of a bell lever 19 is pivoted at 2() to an'arm 21 extending up'- wardly from the core 22 of a resetting or closing coil 23. A post 24 extending downwardly from the core 22 car-ries an annular collar 25 between which collar and a cage 26 is interposed a suitable coiled spring 27. This spring 27 normally retains the core 22, arm 21 and bell crank lever 19 in the raised position. The upright arm 21 carries an arm 28 extending at substantially right angles therefrom. A spring 29 secured to the arm 28 and at its opposite end to the suostantially parallel arm ot' the bell crank lever 19 normally retains the hook portion 18 of the bell crank lever in engagement with the outer end of the switch operating lever 12. o v

A latch arm 30 is pivoted to an upright lug 31 extending from the resetting coil 23. This latch arm comprises an outwardly extending portion which cooperates with a collar 32 carried by a post 33 extending upwardly from the core 34 of 'a trip or opening coil 35 and a hook portion 36 which cooperateswith a pin 37 extending from the upright arm 21 of the resetting coil 23 to retain this arm and consequently the core 22 in the depressed osition against the tension of the colled sprlng 27.

I will now describe with the aid of the .circuit diagram shown in Figure 3, the operation of a particular embodiment of m'y invention. In this connection itis to be noted that although I have illustrated a tnreo phase power circuit, the invention is not limited to any particular kind of circuit but is ap licable generally to'circuits of all kinds.

The main line supplies an overload relay 43 through a suitable series transformer 44. Upon the occurrence of an overload in the assuming the parts to be in the osition shown in Figure 1, the overload reay 43 will immediately operate to close the circuit through the trip or opening coil 35 causing immediate upward movement of the core 34 thereof (Figure2).

Upon this upward 'movement of the core 34 t e upright' post 33 carried thereby will .f latch by reason of its engagement with the bell crank lever 19 swing this lever about its pivot 20 and consequently the hook portion 18 thereof out of cooperation with the lever arm 12. the outer cnd of the arm 12 this arm is swung about its pivot 15 by the spring 17, forcing the insulated rod 1() downwardly and the movable switch member 9 carried thereby, out of engagement with the stationary switch contact members 3 and 4 quickly interrupting the flow of current. Upon separating the movable contact 9 from the stationary contacts 3 and 4 to interrupt the flow of current the trip coil 35 is im mediately deenergized allowing the core 34 thereof to again assume the position shown in Figure 1. The outer free end of the lever arm 12 has now assumed the position shown in Figure 2.

As the upward movement of the core 34 continues the collar 32 carried by the post engages the latch arm 30, swinging this latch arm about its pivot and the hook portion 36 thereof out of engagement with the pin 37 projecting from the upright arm 21 of the core 22 of the resetting coil 23. The core 22 is immediately forced upwardly by the tension of the spring 27 moving the hook portion 18 of the bell crank lever 19 into cooperation with the elevated outer free end of the lever arm 12 as clearly shawn in dotted lines in Figure 2.

A suitable switch 45 is 'provided for closing the circuit through the closin or resetting coil 23 when the overload in t e main line has been relieved or when it is otherwise desired to close the circuit. Closing the circuit through the coil 23 energizes this coil and causes downward movement of the core 22 thereof, which core has been retained in an elevated position by the spring 27.

This downward movement of the core 22 causes the lever arm 12 to be swung about its pivot 15 and again into the position shown in Figure 1 by reason of the cooperation between the hook portion 18 of the bell crank lever 19 and the outer :tree end of the lever arm 12. As the core 22 approaches the endV of its downward movement the pin 37 proecting from the upright arm 21 is sprung past the hook portion 36 of the arm 30, whereupon the core 22 is retained in the depressed position against the tension of the Spring 27 until the circuit through the trip coil 1s again energized.

It is frequently desired flow of current independent of the occurrence of an overload to facilitate inspection and repairs. To this end the switch 45 (Figure 3) is adapted to close a circuit through the trip or opening coil 35 whereupon this coil is immediately energize-d and the movable contacts and stationary contact members are quickly separated to open the cir- Simultaneous with the release ot' to interrupt the controlled-by the switch 45 are provided with auxiliary automatic switches A and B respectively. These switches are controlled directly by the condition of the oil switch, that is,'the switch A is closed when the oil switch is closed and is opened when the oil switch is opened: the switch B being closedy when the oil switch is open and opened when the oil switch is closed. Obviously, should the circuit through the resetting coil 23 be left closed for a considerable length of time after the oil switch has been reset or closed, by inadvertently failing to open the switch 45, the coil 23 might be damaged, at any rate a closed circuit at this time would be undesirable. The switches A and B have been provided to obviate such ditiiculties.

It will now be obvious that I have provided a novel and improved circuit interrupting device which, not only overcomes all of the disadvantages attendant upon the use of prior art devices, but secures other incidental advantages.

While I have described my invention in connection with the details of a particular embodiment, I do not intend thereby to limit the invention to such details as I am aware and contemplate that modifications and changes may be made without departing from the invention which is set out in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, an actuating member, contact means connected with said member for movementthereby, resetting means including a member having motionof'translation, a latch having stationary pivotal support adjacent said member for holding same in retracted position, a second latch pivoted on said resetting member `and engageable with said actuating member, and common means or tripping both said latches, said latches having an arm extending into the path of movement of said tripping means.

2. In combination,"a movable switch member, a switch arm pivoted within its length and having pivotal connection at one end with said movable switch member, a coil having a core member, said core member hav- Ving motion of translation, an arm extendmg from said core member and having motion of translation therewith, a bell crank lever pivoted to said arm and having a latched arm engageable with said first arm, a latch arm having stationary pivotal support adjacent the core arm and adapted for latching engagement with said arm to lock the core mem er in retracted position, a trip coil having a plunger for swinging said bell crank lever out of latching engagement with said switch arm to free the movable switch member and permit it to move to open position free of the latch and'resetting means, said plunger subsequently releasing said last latch arm, and spring means operable upon release of said last latch arm for projecting the latch arm of the bell crank lever into latching engagement with the switch arm.

' 3. In con'ibination, a movable switch member, a switch arm pivoted within its length and having'pivotal connection at one end with said member, a coil having a core member, said core member having motion of translation, an arm extending from said core member and Having motion of ltranslation therewith, n bell crank lever pivoted to said arm and having a latch arm engageable with said first arm, a latch armv having stationary pivotal support adjacent the core member and having a latch hook adapted for latching engagement with said arm to lock the core member in retracted position, a trip coil having a plunger for swinging said bell crank lever out of latching engagement with said switch arm to free the movable switch member and permit it to move to open position free ot the latch and resetting means, said plunger subsequently releasing said last latch arm, spring Vmeans operable upon release of said last latch arm for projecting the latch arm of the bell crank lever into latching engagement with the switch arm, and spring means for swinging the latch hook of the latch arm for the core member into the path ot movement of the co-operating latch means on the core arm to engage said means with said latch upon retracting the core member. i

4. In combination, a movable switch member, an operating arm therefor, and latch andrresetting means engageable with said arm to reset said switch member and hold same reset, said latch and resetting means comprising a coil provided with a plunger having motion of translation, a latch and resetting arm pivoted directly upon said plunger and having severable engagement with said'operating arm, and a latch arm j having stationary pivotal support on the coil and engageable lwith the plunger to hold same retracted.

5. In combination, a movable switch mem-y ber, an operating arm for said member, latch and resetting means engageable with said arm to reset said switch member and hold same reset, said latch and resetting me'ans biased to open position, electric actuating means, a mechamcal transmlssion actuatedmeans, a mechanical transmission actuatedy thereby for closing said switch, locking means having separable engagement with said transmission to hold said switch closed and permit deenergization of said electric actuating means, and a readily severable connection interpolated in said transmission' between the said locking means and said switch.

7'. In combination, a switch normally thereby for closing said switch, locking means engaging said transmission to hold said switch closed and permit deenergization of said electric actuating means, a readily severable connection interpolated in said transmission between said locking means and lsaid switch, electric means for severing said connection,. and releasing said locking means, and 'resilient means associated with the portion of vsaid transmission between said severable connection and said rst mentioned electric actuating means tending ,to advance said portion and re-establish said connection.- l l 8. In combination,l an actuating member, contact means connected with said member for movement thereby, resetting means, a latch having stationary pivotal support for holding said resetting means in retracted position, a second latch pivoted on said resetting means and engageable with said actuating member and common means for tripping both said latches.

9. In combination, contact means, an actuating member therefore, resetting means, a latch for said resetting means, a second latch for said actuating member, and common means for tripping said first latch first and for thereafter tripping said second 10. -In combination, an actuating member,

"contact means connected with said member with the plunger,

range of said tripping means.

actuating member, a spring connected between the resetting member and said second latch for swinging same for engagement with said `actuating member and common means for tripping both said latches.

11. In combination, a movable switch member, an operating member therefore, latch and resetting means for said operating member, said latch and resetting means comprising a coil provided with a plunger, a latch arm pivoted directly upon said plunger and having severable engagement with said operating means, a latch arm having stationary pivotal support and engageable latch and resetting means and said latch armand means for projecting the plunger to engagesaid latch and resetting means with said operating means.

12. In combination, an actuating member, contact means connected with said member for movement thereby, resetting means, a latch having stationary holding said resetting means in retracted position, a second latch pivoted on said resetting means and engageable with said actuating member and common means for tripping both said latches, said tripping means tripping both said latches directly and within the operating range of said tripping means.

13. In combination, contact means, an actuating member therefore, resetting means a latch for said resetting means, a secon latch for said actuating-member, and common means for tripping both said latches, said tripping means trippin both said latches directly and within t e operating 14."In combination, contact means, an actuating member therefore, resetting means, a latch for said resetting means, a second latch for said actuating member, and common means for tripping said rst latch first and for thereafter tripping said second latch said tripping means tripping both said latches directly and within the operating range of said trippin means.

In witness whereo I hereunto subscribev my name this 24th day of July, A. D. 1919.

. ERNEST H. JACOBS.l

means for releasing said pivotal support for v 

